Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 66 I, the Cao family, am willing to bestow upon you the honor that belongs only to you soldiers!

Cao Cao was arranging his defenses when suddenly a messenger came hurriedly to report.

"Report! My Lord! Yuan Shu has sent word that the imperial court has dispatched a new Governor of Yanzhou. He is currently on his way and will likely be arriving in Chenliu soon from Yingchuan!"
Yuan Shu also said that if the lord retreated to Dongjun, he would submit a petition to the court to appoint you as rear general and continue to retain the territory of Dongjun.

"It's really here!" Cao Cao and others were suddenly shocked.
"We exchanged our lives for Yanzhou, and Yuan Shu wants to take it away with just a mere imperial envoy?"

"Could it be that Yuan Shu has gone insane?"

Cao Cao's expression was somewhat serious. "Yuan Shu has absorbed Sun Jian's former subordinates, and with the conscripted soldiers, he now has at least 150,000 combat-capable men under his command!"

At this point, Cao Cao asked Cao Yan, "Zi'an, how many soldiers do we have now?"

Cao Yan pondered this in his mind and then replied, "Dongwuyang and Dong'e counties each have 5,000 garrison troops, and they cannot be easily mobilized.

Dongyu has 6,000 defenders who need to guard against the sneak attack of the Black Mountain Army. Shanyang Changyi has 5,000 troops who need to continue to wipe out the Yellow Turban Army. Both cannot be mobilized.

Generals Puyang and Xiahou took away two thousand cavalry and one thousand infantry. Even if we can recruit some new soldiers, I'm afraid the number will not exceed five thousand in the short term."

Cao Yan first discussed the garrisons that must be retained, and then spoke of the troops currently available. "The only elite troops we can currently mobilize are Zixiu's 2,000 Mandarin Duck Troops, Zilong and Qingyuan's 3,000 Flying Dragon Cavalry, and Le Wenqian's 2,000 Infantry Archers.

Yu Wenze has 10,000 garrison troops under his command, and Xu Zhongkang has 3,000 Tiger Guards under his command. They are all newly formed armies, and their combat effectiveness cannot be guaranteed."

Hearing Cao Yan's words, the civil and military officials in the meeting hall couldn't help but talk about it.
"In other words, the military force we can mobilize is only over 20,000 people."

"But Yuan Shao has an army of over 100,000!"

"This gap is a bit too big!"

"Although Yuan Shu has conscripted civilians under his command, he still has at least 50,000 to 60,000 elite troops..."

"Difficult... too difficult..."

If we just compare the numbers of troops, the gap between the two sides is indeed quite large.

But war is never judged by data on paper. Otherwise, how could a team of millet and rifles defeat a coalition force composed of planes, artillery and tanks?
Cao Cao also felt that the gap in military strength between the two sides was too large.

You have to know that no matter how weak Yuan Shu's soldiers were, they were still regular troops, which was completely different from the loose militia organization like the Yellow Turbans.

Cao Cao then asked Cao Yan, "How is the progress of recruiting young men from the Yellow Turbans to form a new army?"

"A prisoner camp has just been established. Young and strong Yellow Turbans have been sent here from all over the country. Their identities are being verified and their volunteers are being screened. Therefore, the new army has not yet been established." Cao Yan said.

Cao Cao thought for a moment and said, "There's no time. Tell them that everyone who participates in the battle will be given five acres of farmland. The rest of the treatment will be the same as other troops, and will be earned based on their military merit."

Cao Yan replied, "Brother, I want to add two more points, to all the soldiers!"

"Just tell me."

"Military merit can earn you land, reduce taxes, and is also a basis for promotion!
Any family with a member of the military will be issued a plaque with the words "Glory of Military Service" and will be entitled to an additional monthly subsidy from the government!

Those who died in battle will be buried in the Martyrs Cemetery to enjoy worship from future generations. Their families can receive a one-time pension, and their children can attend school for free until they finish the county school!

We must rebuild the military spirit for the army!

We must let our soldiers understand why they are fighting and for whom they are dying!

This is their unique honor!"

Even many of the intellectuals present were tempted by these benefits.

Cao Ang, Wei Zhen and other younger generations were so adoring that their eyes sparkled with stars.

"Pleading for the people and building the soul for the army! Uncle, you are amazing!"

"My Lord, how fortunate I am to be able to follow Lord Cao and Cao Zhonglang!"

Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a little painful after offering so many benefits at once.

But he still gritted his teeth and said, "As you said, send an order to the three armies!"

"Brother, you are wise!" Cao Yan said with a shrug. "With this, our army will advance unstoppably and be invincible!"

……

Cao Yan brought the military order to the camp specially set up for the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou.

Tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers looked over, anxiously waiting for their fate.

Cao Yan was riding on a horse, followed by Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and Xiahou Lan.

He glanced around at the Yellow Turban captives before him and shouted, "I am Cao Yan, Cao Zi'an! General of Agriculture, and General Cao's younger brother!" "By order of General Cao, I am recruiting young men from Qingzhou to form a separate army! Those who join will receive excellent food and a salary according to Han law!"

"Also! Anyone who joins the army can be allocated land based on their military merits, and their taxes can be reduced. They can also get normal promotions through this!
Every family that has a soldier will be issued with a plaque of "Glory of Military Service" and can enjoy... "

Cao Yan told everyone about all the benefits.

The Yellow Turban surrendered soldiers and young and strong men from all over the place had expressions of disbelief on their faces. They couldn't believe that Cao Cao would give them such good treatment.

To put it bluntly, they felt that they were thieves and were no longer clean. As long as they could save their lives, they would accept it even if it meant doing forced labor or hard labor.

But Cao Cao not only did not kill them, he also gave them hope of becoming soldiers like other officers and soldiers.

Not only can you have land and get promoted, but you can also be free from worries and enjoy special honors!

There are still many people who refuse to believe it.

Would those high-ranking officials give them so many benefits?

Seeing that many of these people were doubtful, Cao Yan continued, "Everyone, I tell you the truth, Yanzhou has just experienced the Yellow Turban catastrophe, and now it is facing an invasion by the princes!

Yuan Shu and Jin Shang are trying to seize Yanzhou, coveting our Yanzhou land and the millions of bushels of grain that are about to mature!"

As soon as Cao Yan said this, there was a heated discussion in the military camp.

"So much food??"

"is that a lie!"

"We've already plundered most of Yanzhou. Where did all this food come from?"

"Dongjun! I heard that under Cao Gong's rule, Dongjun absorbed over a hundred thousand refugees and reclaimed a million acres of new farmland!"

As expected, Cao Yan explained, "Dongjun is implementing military and civilian settlements. If nothing unexpected happens, this autumn's grain harvest will be at least 1.5 million hu!
Add in the food and fodder donated by the wealthy and powerful, and feeding 500,000 people is no problem!"

There was an uproar in the camp.

If it can feed 500,000 people, doesn't that mean their families won't have to starve?!

"Let me be frank first!" But Cao Yan poured cold water on the idea and said, "

A soldier's duty is to protect his family, defend against foreign enemies, and also to fight for his family's due interests!

Yanzhou only gives preferential treatment to those who have made contributions.

But if our army is defeated, Yanzhou will belong to the Yuan family! You should know the character of those aristocratic families very well. "

"The Yuan family again?"

"Fuck it! Even if I die, I would rather die than be enslaved by the Yuan family!"

"Fight! Fight with them!"

Cao Yan held his hand, and after everyone's voices died down, Cao Yan continued:

"The war situation is urgent. We no longer have time to train you, but remember, every word and every promise I just made is real!"

After Cao Ying finished speaking, many people slowly stood up.

A burly man with a rather fierce look pushed his way to the front of the line, pushing through the crowd and asking loudly, "Is the land-sharing plan true? We've fought for bandits for years, all for a share of land and less taxes!"

"Of course it's true!" Cao Yan looked at the man and said, "Joining our Yanzhou military camp is not just a way to make a living, but a way to make your family rich and bring honor to your ancestors!"

"This honor! My Cao family shares it with you!" Cao Yan shouted.

"I believe you!" Someone stood up, staring at Cao Yan intently, and said, "I've heard of you! Military farms, new plows, work-for-relief, and so on—all came from you, Captain Cao!"

"Since your arrival, the people of Dongjun not only have food to eat, but they can also work for the government in exchange for meat and cloth, at prices far cheaper than those sold by merchants!"

"So, you are Captain Cao!"

"I'm joining the army!!"

"I want to join the army too!"

"Me too!"

(End of this chapter)